LEWISTON – Seven new volunteer board members began their terms with Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in January: Jill Berry-Bowen; Gary Curtis, James Eshleman, DO; Marguerite Graham, Elaine Lasky; Marguerite Stapleton; and Patricia Young.

They were elected based on their personal skills, professional knowledge and geographical location throughout the area served by the agency. They will each serve a three-year term.

Berry-Bowen is vice president and chief operating officer of Franklin Memorial Hospital. She started her career in 1983 as a registered nurse at the hospital and Mid-Maine Medical Center Hospital.

Ten years later she was serving as vice president of human resources/quality improvement at the hospital. From there she became vice president of clinical services and operations and was promoted to her current position in 1996.

Berry-Bowen holds a bachelor’s degree in community health from the University of Maine, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Central Maine Medical Center and an MBA in business administration and communication from Thomas College. She provides community service to several organizations, including the Phillips Youth Activities Center.

Curtis is vice president of Maine operations at MeadWestvaco in Rumford. He has managed the Rumford mill since 1993 and managed two others earlier in his career. Curtis began his career in 1982 with Boise Cascade in Rumford and was promoted frequently, including positions at company-owned mills in Washington state.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in pulp and paper technology from the University of Maine and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development. A Maine native, Curtis serves his community in many capacities, including being a member of the board at Rumford Hospital.

Eshleman, doctor of osteopathic medicine at Oxford Hills Family Practice in Norway, obtained his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his internship at Osteopathic Hospital of Maine. Eshleman is board certified in family medicine, geriatric medicine and UR/QA and has been a physician for more than 30 years.

Graham is a faculty member at the College for Life-Long Learning at the University of New Hampshire. She is a professor of writing and American literature. Since 1984 Graham has also been the middle school youth group co-coordinator at West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel.

She has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector with a variety of organizations, serving in capacities such as founder, board member, director, volunteer and program coordinator. Many of the positions Graham held at Gould Academy during her eight-year tenure there.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from New England College and a master’s degree in English from the University of New Hampshire.

Lasky has has a long career in the field of nursing. She began as an operating room nurse at Central Maine Medical Center, was then an office nurse, psychiatric nurse and lastly a clinical recruiter.

Lasky holds an associate’s degree in laboratory technology from Malden Hospital School of Medical Technology. She holds an associate degree in nursing and became and RN after attending the CMMC School of Nursing. Later Lasky continued her education, earning her bachelor’s degree in professional arts-psychology and is a certified psychiatric and mental heath nurse. Currently she is a hospice volunteer with Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice.

Stapleton is vice president for mission effectiveness at Sisters of Charity Health System. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Immaculate College, a master’s of science in education from the University of Illinois and has participated in graduate studies in theology at Boston College.

Over the years Stapleton has worked as a grade school teacher, book review editor and pastoral associate. She has served on the board of various nonprofits, including the Maine Council of Churches and United Way.

Young is the administrator at Maine Veterans Homes in South Paris. She began working there in 1995 as assistant director of nursing and worked her way up the career ladder. Since 1970 Young has been working as a nurse in the Oxford Hills area, including several years at Stephens Memorial Hospital, as an office nurse, per diem staff nurse at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston and nurse manager for Market Square Health Care.

She earned her associate’s degree and became an RN after attending Central Maine Technical College. Young holds a BSN from the University of Southern Maine.

The new members join 14 veteran board members: Mark Adams, Dr. Roger Austin, Rebecca Conrad, Dr. Nicholette Erickson, Chip Liversidge, Jolene Lovejoy, David McDaniel, Marcelle McGuire, Charles Morrison, Betty Robinson, Patricia Roy, Paul Soucie, Kim Wettlaufer and Rhonda Wiles.

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice is a nonprofit, Medicare-certified agency that provides home care, supportive care and hospice care for residents of Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford and northern Cumberland counties.

More information can be found at the agency’s Web site, ahch.org.

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